REPORT FOR THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
UNITED STATES SENATE
SUBJECT: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of Demonstrated Competence — Foreign Service Act, Section 304(a)(4)
POST: Republic of Tunisia
CANDIDATE: Donald Armin Blome
Donald Armin Blome, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, is currently the Chargé d’Affairs at the Libya External Office in Tunis, Tunisia. Previously, Mr. Blome served as Consul General at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, from 2015 – 2018. During more than 25 years in the Foreign Service, Mr. Blome has specialized in affairs of the Arabic-speaking world, undertaking numerous tours of service in the region and serving in senior positions relating to Arabia in the State Department in Washington, D.C. His leadership, deep regional expertise, management skills, knowledge of Arabic and experience serving in conflict areas make Mr. Blome an excellent candidate for U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia.
Previously, he served the Department of State as Director, Office of Arabian Peninsula Affairs (2013 – 2015), Political Counselor, Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan (2012-2013), Minister-Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs, Embassy Cairo, Egypt (2009-2012) and studied Arabic at the American University in Cairo (2008-2009). He also served as the Civilian Co-Director, Multinational Force Strategic Engagement Cell, Baghdad, Iraq (2007-2008), Political Counselor, Embassy Kuwait (2006-2007). Prior to this he studied Arabic at the Foreign Service Institute in Arlington, Virginia and Tunis, Tunisia (2004-2006). He served as Israel Desk Officer, Deputy Director & Acting Director, Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs (2001-2004), Other assignments include Iran Desk Officer, Office of Northern Gulf Affairs (1999-2001), Staff Assistant, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Consular/Political Officer, Embassy Amman, Jordan and Economic/Consular Officer, Embassy Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Before joining the Foreign Service he practiced law in Chicago, Illinois.
Mr. Blome earned a B.A. and a J.D. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He is the recipient of 13 notable Department of State awards. Mr. Blome speaks Arabic.